How Do I Identify If I Have Cataracts?

If you're looking at something, there are a few things that happen within your eyes so that you may see it clearly. Light enters the eye through the pupil, then it focuses through the eye's lens and onto the retina. A number of eye problems can occur along the way to decrease the clarity of your vision; one such condition is a cataract.

What Is A Cataract?

A cataract is an eye condition marked by the clouding of the lens. The eyes lens is made of water and various proteins. With age, those proteins may cluster, leaving a cloudy spot -- a cataract -- on the previously clear lens, which then can mean problems seeing. If you think a cataract might be the cause of your vision problems, an opthalmalogist who specializes in Dallas cataract surgery will be able to assess the problem and how advanced it is.

Age isn't the sole means of developing cataracts; the eye problem might also be caused by genetics, previous eye injury, certain eye diseases or past eye surgery, medications such as excessive steroid use, or medical problems like diabetes.

What Are Cataract Symptoms?

Cataracts that are associated with aging will typically develop gradually during an extended period, so the symptoms might not be readily noticed. Some of the symptoms to look for include:

* Blurred, cloudy or dim vision
* Sensitivity to light; glare in bright light
* Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
* Color distortion
* Halos on lights
* Needing frequent prescription changes for glasses/contacts
* Double vision with one eye

What Should I Do If I Experience Syptoms?

If you are noticing some symptoms of cataracts, or any other type of eye problems, the best advice is to make an appointment with a qualified eye doctor. An eye exam will show whether you have cataracts or not.

A qualified eye doctor will give you a total, dilated eye exam -- meaning your pupil is widened with eye drops to enable a complete assessment of your eye health.

If cataracts are the diagnosis, here are some recommendations on what to do next:
* Have regular eye exams; annually for those older than 65; biannually for those younger.
* Guard your eyes from UV light by wearing sunglasses.
* Stop smoking ASAP; it is a key risk factor for cataracts.
* Use brighter lights and even a magnifying glass for reading.
* If halos or glare are problems, cut down on nighttime driving.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

There is only one proven treatment method for cataracts, and that is surgery. Although there are some eyedrops and other "treatments" on the market that claim to treat cataracts, none of those claims have been proven true. A knowledgeable Dallas cataract surgeon will be able to assess whether your case is advanced enough to require surgery.

Cataract surgery is usually considered as a treatment option when the issue causes vision problems that get in the way of daily life. As there is no way to take the cloudiness off the eye's lens, the affected lens will need to be removed during your cataract surgery. The original lens will be replaced by what's known as an intraocular lens (IOL), which is an artificial lens implant. There are a few types of lens implants available. A Dallas cataract surgeon will be able to help you decide on which lens implant is best suited to you.